Leaky Capitals Welcome Sabres Still Hunting for Road Wins
Washington's goaltending picture is cloudy with Logan Thompson day to day, while Buffalo has won just once away from home.
Written before the game
Two teams level on 10 points meet in Washington, and the real story is in their own end. Washington creates chances at almost exactly the same rate as Buffalo, but it gives up far more of them.
Over nine games the Capitals have allowed 3.9 expected goals against per game (how many goals the other team's chances were worth). That is the worst figure of the two clubs, and it fits their recent results. They also allow far more shot attempts than they take. Buffalo has been closer to even, giving up 3.22 per game while creating slightly more.
The standings are tight. Washington (5-4-0) holds the sixth wild-card spot and is 4-2-0 at home. Buffalo (4-4-2) holds the seventh, carries a minus 9 goal difference and is just 1-1-2 on the road. Both teams lost their last game.
In goal, Logan Thompson is day to day, which leaves Washington's starter uncertain. On paper, the Sabres' cleaner defensive play is their best path to points against a home team that keeps leaving the door open.
